The Book of the Sword

BURTON Richard F. [Francis] Sir 1821-1890

Published by Chatto and Windus, London Piccadilly, 1884

About this Item

Near fine copy of the first edition of THE source of information on swords by the noted British traveler Sir Richard Burton with 293 illustrations. In the original pictorial boards, corners bumped slightly. Spine, silver tooling & titles, edges bumped. Internally, half title, [9], (xii-xxxix), [1], [1], 2-299 pp, 293 illustrations, black end papers, printed in London by Spottiswoode. With its black slip case. (270*190 mm). This book traces the origin of the sword from prehistory to its full growth during the early Roman Empire. The author discusses the earliest weapons of stone, bone, horn and wood as well as variations. The swords covered include the sabre, broadsword, cutlass, scimitar, foil, and rapier as well as a host of other arms, including dirks, daggers, throwing knives, flails, and more. The text is enhanced by nearly 300 line drawings. Â FIRST EDITION of Burton's history of the sword as a weapon, intended to be the first of a three-volume work. "The history of the Sword is the history of humanity," he wrote, but his book "fell still-born on the public." On his death, his manuscript notes were so incomplete that no publisher would publish the subsequent volumes (Casada 27. Penzer 107/8). Seller Inventory # 008027

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Book of the Sword

Publisher: Chatto and Windus, London Piccadilly

Publication Date: 1884

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Near Fine

Edition: 1st Edition